Jacob replenished with the spirit of prophecy, a little before his death, foretelleth his sons many things, that shall happen to their posterity. Chargeth some of them with faults past, blesseth every one. 29. Appointeth where to bury him. 32. and dieth.Iacob replenished with the spirite of prophecie, a litle before his death, fortelleth his sonnes manie things, that shal happen to their posteritie. Chargeth some of them with faultes past, blesseth euerie one. 29. Appointeth where to burie him. 32. and dyeth.
And Jacob called his sons, and said to them: Come together, that I may shew you the things that shall come to you in the last days.AND Iacob called his sonnes, and said to them: Come together, that I may shew you the things that shal come to you in the last dayes.Vocavit autem Jacob filios suos, et ait eis : Congregamini, ut annuntiem quæ ventura sunt vobis in diebus novissimis.
2Come together, and hear you sons of Jacob, hear ye Israel your father:Come together, and heare you sonnes of Iacob, heare ye Israel your father:Congregamini, et audite, filii Jacob, audite Israël patrem vestrum :
3Ruben my first begotten, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorrow: former in gifts, greater in rule, dominion · Vulgate: imperio.Ruben my first begotten, thou art my strength, and the beginning of my sorow: former in giftes, greater in empire.Ruben, primogenitus meus, tu fortitudo mea, et principium doloris mei ; prior in donis, major in imperio.
4Thou art poured out as water, increase thou not: because thou didst ascend thy father's bed, and didst defile his couch.Thou art powred out as water, increase thou not: because thou diddest ascend thy fathers bed, and diddest defile his coutch.Effusus es sicut aqua, non crescas : quia ascendisti cubile patris tui, et maculasti stratum ejus.
5Simeon and Levi brethren: vessels of iniquity weapons/instruments of war: *vasa iniquitatis bellantia* · Vulgate: bellantia.Simeon and Leui brethren: vessels of iniquitie warring.Simeon et Levi fratres vasa iniquitatis bellantia.
6Into their counsel come not my soul, and in their congregation be not my glory: because in their fury they slew a man, and in their wilfulness they undermined a wall.Into their counsel come not my soule, and in their congregation be not my glorie: because in their furie they slew a man, and in their willfulnes they vndermined a wall.In consilium eorum non veniat anima mea, et in cœtu illorum non sit gloria mea : quia in furore suo occiderunt virum, et in voluntate sua suffoderunt murum.
7Cursed be their fury, because it is stubborn: and their indignation, because it is hard: I will divide them in Jacob, and will disperse them in Israel.Cursed be their furie, because it is stubborne: and their indignation, because it is hard: I wil diuide them in Iacob, and wil disperse them in Israel.Maledictus furor eorum, quia pertinax : et indignatio eorum, quia dura : dividam eos in Jacob, et dispergam eos in Israël.
8Judas, thee thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies: thy father's children shall adore thee.Iudas, thee thy brethren shal praise: thy hand shalbe in the neck of thyne enemies: thy fathers children shal adore thee.Juda, te laudabunt fratres tui : manus tua in cervicibus inimicorum tuorum, adorabunt te filii patris tui.
9A lion's whelp Judas: to the prey my son thou didst ascend: taking thy rest thou didst lie as a lion, and as it were a lioness, who shall raise him up?A lions whelp Iudas: to the pray my sonne thou diddest ascend: taking thy rest thou diddest lye as a lion, and as it were a lyonesse, who shal raise him vp?Catulus leonis Juda : ad prædam, fili mi, ascendisti : requiescens accubuisti ut leo, et quasi leæna : quis suscitabit eum ?
10The sceptre shall not BE TAKEN away from Judas, and a a leader, ruler: Latin *dux*; not a nobleman · Vulgate: dux out of his thigh, till he do come that is to be sent, and the same shall be the expectation of the gentiles.The scepter shal not BE TAKEN away from Iudas, and a duke out of his thigh, til he do come that is to be sent, and the same shal be the expectation of the gentiles.Non auferetur sceptrum de Juda, et dux de femore ejus, donec veniat qui mittendus est, et ipse erit expectatio gentium.
11Tying to the vineyard his colt, and to the vine, O my son, his ass. He shall wash his long robe · Vulgate: stolam in wine, and in the blood of the grape his cloak.Tying to the vineyard his colt, and to the vine, o my sonne, his asse. He shal wash his stole in wine, and in the bloud of the grape his cloke.Ligans ad vineam pullum suum, et ad vitem, o fili mi, asinam suam, lavabit in vino stolam suam et in sanguine uvæ pallium suum.
12His eyes are more beautiful than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.His eyes are more beautiful then wine, and his teeth whiter then milke.Pulchriores sunt oculi ejus vino, et dentes ejus lacte candidiores.
13Zabulon shall dwell in the shore of the sea, and in the road of ships reaching as far as Sidon.Zabulon shal dwel in the shore of the sea, and in the road of shippes reaching as farre as Sidon.Zabulon in littore maris habitabit, et in statione navium pertingens usque ad Sidonem.
14Issachar a strong ass lying at rest between the borders.Issachar a strong asse lying at rest betwen the borders.Issachar asinus fortis accubans inter terminos.
15He saw rest that it was good: and the earth that it was very good: and he put under his shoulder to carry, and became serving under tributes.He saw rest that it was good: and the earth that it was very good: and he put vnder his shoulder to carie, and became seruing vnder tributes.Vidit requiem, quod esset bona et terram, quod optima : et supposuit humerum suum ad portandum, factusque est tributis serviens.
16Dan shall judge his own people as also another tribe in Israel.Dan shal iudge his owne people as also an other tribe in Israel.Dan judicabit populum suum sicut et alia tribus in Israël.
17Be Dan a snake in the way, a serpent in the path, biting the hoofs of the horse, that his rider may fall backward.Be Dan a snake in the way, a serpent in the path, biting the hoofs of the horse, that his ryder may fal backward.Fiat Dan coluber in via, cerastes in semita, mordens ungulas equi, ut cadat ascensor ejus retro.
18I will expect THY SALVATION O Lord.I wil expect THY SALVATION o Lord.Salutare tuum expectabo, Domine.
19Gad, the girded shall fight before him: and himself shall be girded backward.Gad, the gyrded shal fight before him: and himself shal be gyrded backward.Gad, accinctus præliabitur ante eum : et ipse accingetur retrorsum.
20Aser, his bread is fat, and he shall give dainties to kings.Aser, his bread is fat, and he shal geue daynties to kinges.Aser, pinguis panis ejus, et præbebit delicias regibus.
21Nephtali, a stag, male deer, not "heart" · Vulgate: cervus let forth, and giving speeches of beauty.Nephtali, a hart let forth, and geuing speeches of beautie.Nephthali, cervus emissus, et dans eloquia pulchritudinis.
22Joseph a child increasing, increasing and comely to behold: the daughters ran to and fro · Vulgate: discurrerunt to and fro upon the wall.Ioseph a child encreasing, encreasing and comelie to behold: the daughters coursed to and fro vpon the wall.Filius accrescens Joseph, filius accrescens et decorus aspectu : filiæ discurrerunt super murum.
23But the dart-javelin-throwers, those armed with darts · Vulgate: habentes jacula did exasperate him, and brawled, and envied him.But the dart-men did exasperate him, and brawled, and enuied him.Sed exasperaverunt eum et jurgati sunt, invideruntque illi habentes jacula.
24His bow sat upon the strong, and the bands of his arms and his hands were dissolved, by the hands of the mighty of Jacob: thence came forth a pastor, the stone of Israel.His bowe sate vpon the strong, and the bands of his armes and his handes were dissolued, by the handes of the mightie of Iacob: thence came forth a pastor, the stone of Israel.Sedit in forti arcus ejus, et dissoluta sunt vincula brachiorum et manuum illius per manus potentis Jacob : inde pastor egressus est, lapis Israël.
25The God of thy father shall be thy helper, and the Almighty shall bless thee with the blessings of heaven from above, with the blessings of the deep that lieth beneath, with the blessings of the breasts · Vulgate: uberum and of the womb.The God of thy father shal be thy helper, and the Almightie shal blesse thee with the blessings of heauen from aboue, with the blessings of the deepe that lyeth beneath, with the blessings of the pappes and of the wombe.Deus patris tui erit adjutor tuus, et omnipotens benedicet tibi benedictionibus cæli desuper, benedictionibus abyssi jacentis deorsum, benedictionibus uberum et vulvæ.
26The blessings of thy father were strengthened with the blessings of his fathers: until the desire of the eternal hills came: be they upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the one consecrated/set apart: here Joseph, set apart among his brethren · Vulgate: Nazaræi among his brethren.The blessings of thy father were strengthened with the blessings of his fathers: vntil the desire of the eternal hilles came: be they vpon the head of Ioseph, and vpon the crowne of the Nazarite among his brethren.Benedictiones patris tui confortatæ sunt benedictionibus patrum ejus, donec veniret desiderium collium æternorum : fiant in capite Joseph, et in vertice Nazaræi inter fratres suos.
27Benjamin a ravening wolf, in the morning shall eat the prey, and in the evening shall divide the spoil.Beniamin a rauening woolfe, in the morning shal eate the pray, and in the euening shal diuide the spoile.Benjamin lupus rapax, mane comedat prædam, et vespere dividet spolia.
28All these in the tribes of Israel twelve: these things spake their father to them, and he blessed every one, with their proper blessings.Al these in the tribes of Israel twelue: these things spake their father to them, and he blessed euerie one, with their proper blessings.Omnes hi in tribubus Israël duodecim : hæc locutus est eis pater suus, benedixitque singulis benedictionibus propriis.
29And he commanded them, saying: I am gathered unto my people: bury you me with my fathers in the double cave, which is in the field of Ephron the Hethite,And he commanded them, saying: I am geathered vnto my people: burie you me with my fathers in the duble caue, which is in the field of Ephron the Hethite,Et præcepit eis, dicens : Ego congregor ad populum meum : sepelite me cum patribus meis in spelunca duplici quæ est in agro Ephron Hethæi,
30against Mambre in the Land of Chanaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hethite for a possession to bury in.against Mambre in the Land of Chanaan, which Abraham bought with the field of Ephron the Hethite for a possession to burie in.contra Mambre in terra Chanaan, quam emit Abraham cum agro ab Ephron Hethæo in possessionem sepulchri.
31There they buried him, and Sara his wife: there was Isaac buried with Rebecca his wife: there also Lia doth lie buried.There they buried him, and Sara his wife: there was Isaac buried with Rebecca his wife: there also Lia doth lie buried.Ibi sepelierunt eum, et Saram uxorem ejus : ibi sepultus est Isaac cum Rebecca conjuge sua : ibi et Lia condita jacet.
32And when he had finished the precepts wherewith he instructed his sons, he plucked up his feet upon the bed, and died: and he was put unto his people.And when he had finished the precepts wherwith he instructed his sonnes, he plucked vp his feete vpon the bed, and died: and he was put vnto his people.Finitisque mandatis quibus filios instruebat, collegit pedes suos super lectulum, et obiit : appositusque est ad populum suum.
Annotations
49:4Because thou didst ascend thy father's bed. For this crime of incest Ruben was deprived of his first-birthright. Who being by order of birth former in gifts, whereby he should have had double portion, and greater in Empire, whereby he should have been Prince or Lord over his brethren, the former prerogative was given to Joseph, whose two sons were heads of two Tribes; the other was given to the Tribe of Juda, in David and his posterity. It was also deprived of his prerogative in Priesthood, which was after annexed to the Tribe of Levi, whereupon the Chaldee paraphrase speaketh thus to Ruben: It belonged to thee to have received three better lots than thy brethren, Priesthood, Best portion, and the Kingdom: But because thou hast sinned, the double portion is given to Joseph, the Kingdom to Judas, and Priesthood to Levi.
49:5Vessels of iniquity. Albeit Simeon and Levi were moved with just cause to punish the foul crime committed by Sichem, against their sister and whole family: yet in their manner of revenging were many sins worthily condemned by Jacob, both immediately after the fact, and here at his death: for before the slaughter they committed there great sins; in that they falsely, rashly did it unknown to their father, thereby putting him and themselves in extreme danger, if God had not marvelously protected them; in falsely pretending agreement and league with the Sichamites, which they meant not to perform; and in sacrilegiously abusing the Sacrament of Circumcision, making it a cloak to deceive their enemies. In the fact also they committed other four gross crimes: cruelly killing those, that offered other abundant satisfaction; murdering others that were altogether innocent; sacking and destroying the city, and carrying away women and children captives. Mystically St. Ambrose, Rufinus, St. Isidore, and others understand this fury, prophecy, of the Scribes and the Priests, descending of Simeon and Levi, who were most eager against our Saviour, as himself more plainly foretold, saying: The son of man shall be betrayed to the chief Priests, and to the Scribes, and they shall condemn him to death. Their fury was cursed above all fury, Because (as here saith) it was stubborn, or obstinate: for they did not only condemn Christ to death in their wicked council, but also urged and pressed Pilate, endeavouring to save him, and stirred up the people to cry: Take him away, Crucify him. Yea their indignation was so hard, that they preferred Barabbas before Christ.
49:10The sceptre shall not be taken away. Here the Patriarch Jacob foretelleth the time, when the promised Messias should come into the world, by this sign that the sceptre should not be taken from Juda, till the Redeemer of mankind were at hand. Not that the regal sceptre should remain in the Tribe of Juda, from Jacob's death till Christ's coming: for that Kingdom began first in David, above six hundred years after Jacob's death, and after the captivity of Babylon the high Priests of the Tribe of Levi did govern also the state, and not only the Church, other six hundred years. But the sense is, that of the Tribe of Juda should rise most glorious Kings, whose crown and Kingdom should remain with the Jewish Nation, until their promised Messias should draw near, and then be taken from them by the Gentiles. Which was done by Herod, whose father was an Idumean, his mother an Arabian. Thus the Ancient fathers with one accord understood this prophecy. St. Justin Martyr ser. cum Tryphone. Eusebius of Cæsarea lib. Hist. Eccles. cap. 6. St. Athanasius lib. de Incarnat. St. Ambrose li. de benedict. Patriarch. c. 4. St. Chrysostom Ho. 67 in Gen. St. Augustine lib. 18 c. 45 de civitate Dei. Theodoret q. ult. in Gen.
49:11He shall wash his stole in wine. By wine, and blood of the grape, what other thing is shewed (saith St. Cyprian Epist. ad Cæcil. 6) but the wine of the Chalice, the blood of our Lord's blood? Likewise Tertullian (lib. 4 contra Marcion) expoundeth the stole to signify Christ's flesh, and the wine his blood. All which book his drift is to shew that Christ did not destroy the old Testament, but fulfilled the figures and prophecies thereof. And not that Christ gave his body in figure only, as our adversaries allege him.
49:17Be Dan a snake in the way. This prophecy most ancient Fathers understood of Antichrist; namely St. Irenæus lib. 5 adv. Hæres; St. Hippolytus Martyr orat. de consummat. mundi; St. Ambrose, and others. St. Augustine q. 22 in Josue. Prosper lib. de promiss. et prædict. Dei P. 4. Theodoret q. ult. in Gen. St. Gregory lib. 30 Moral. c. 18, and many others upon the 7th chapter of the Apocalypse, where they suppose St. John did omit Dan from amongst the Elect of the Israelitical Tribes, in detestation of Antichrist, to be born of that Tribe. And certain it is, that the Jews will receive, and follow him for their Messias, as our Saviour himself saith: which maketh it very probable, that he shall be a Jew born, else they would not so easily admit him.
49:22Joseph a child increasing. Joseph was in many respects a figure of Jesus Christ, especially in that he was loved of his father before his brethren, sold by his brethren to the Gentiles of envy, and for money, advanced to dignity and authority, the deliverer of Egypt from famine, and called Saviour of the world; all performed in Christ, the true Child increasing.